This is the fourth and final post of my initial thoughts. I’m dividing the nineteen award categories into written fiction works (novel, novella, novelette, short story, young adult book), other individual works (related work, graphic story, long form dramatic presentation, short form dramatic presentation), people categories (short form editor, long form editor, professional artist, fan writer, fan artist, new writer), and serial categories (series, semiprozine, fanzine, fancast).

Best Series

The Expanse, by James S. A. Corey (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

InCryptid, by Seanan McGuire (DAW)

Luna, by Ian McDonald (Tor; Gollancz)

Planetfall series, by Emma Newman (Ace; Gollancz)

Winternight Trilogy, by Katherine Arden (Del Rey; Del Rey UK)

The Wormwood Trilogy, by Tade Thompson (Orbit US; Orbit UK)

I’ve read at least one book and have been meaning to continue The Expanse, InCryptid, and Winternight. I have at least the first book and have been meaning to start the other three series. I was a little disappointed that The Expanse got nominated just before its conclusion, but there’s no guarantee that it would have made the ballot next year. Now I’ll have extra motivation to get caught up by the time the last book comes out.

The only newcomer here is The Rec Center which I’ve noticed on the longlist for the past two years. The Book Smugglers was first nominated as a fanzine, then a couple times as a semiprozine, and now it’s back in fanzine. My own nominees were nerds of a feather and Quick Sip Reviews.

Best Fancast

Be The Serpent, presented by Alexandra Rowland, Freya Marske and Jennifer Mace

I’m very excited to see a BookTube channel on the final ballot. There have been a couple on the longlist, but Claire Rousseau is the first finalist from the community. The others are all returning podcast finalists.